1 [transitive](of a person)to give information to somebody by speaking or writingtell something to somebodyHe told the news to everybody he saw.tell somebody somethingHe told everybody he saw the news.Did she tell you her name?What did I tell you? (= you should have listened to my advice)tell somebody (about something)Why wasn't I told about the accident?tell somebody/yourself (that)…They’ve told us (that) they’re not coming.I kept telling myself (that) everything was OK.Are you telling me you didn't have any help with this? (= I don't believe what you have said)tell somebody where, what, etc…Tell me where you live.tell somebody + speech‘I'm ready to go now,’ he told her.Which Word?say / tellSay never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words:‘Sit down’, she said.Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’Anne said (that) she was tired.What did he say to you? You cannot use ‘say about’, but say something about is correct:I want to say something/​a few words/​a little about my family.Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned:She didn’t say what she intended to do.Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects:Have you told him the news yet? It is often used with ‘that’ clauses:Anne told me (that) she was tired.Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what, where, etc:Can you tell me when the movie starts? (BUT:Can you give me some information about the school?) Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions:The doctor told me to stay in bed.The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed. ORThe doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed. NOTThe doctor said me to stay in bed.Express YourselfAsking for informationWhen you want to find something out, it sounds more polite if you can phrase your questions in an indirect way:Could you tell me the best way to get to Paddington station, please?Do you happen to know whether Amy Brown works here?I wonder whether/​if you can help me. I'm trying to find out which number to call for reservations.

2 [transitive](of some writing, an instrument, a sign, etc.)to give information about somethingtell somebody somethingThe advertisement told us very little about the product.tell somebody how, where, etc…This gauge tells you how much fuel you have left.tell somebody (that)…The sound of his breathing told her (that) he was asleep.

4[intransitive](informal)to let somebody know a secretPromise you won't tell.‘Who are you going out with tonight?’ ‘That would be telling!’ (= it's a secret)

order

5 [transitive]to order or advise somebody to do somethingtell somebody/yourself to do somethingHe was told to sit down and wait.There was a sign telling motorists to slow down.I kept telling myself to keep calm.tell somebody somethingDo what I tell you.tell somebodyChildren must do as they're told.tell somebody what, when, etc…Don't tell me what to do!tell somebody (that)…The doctor told me (that) I should eat less fat.Express YourselfTelling somebody to do somethingCould you wait here for a moment, please?Would you come through now?/You can come through now.Can you send it up to my room, please?Just sign here for me, please.I need you to finish the report by Friday.Everyone has to use the side entrance this week.You have to sign these reports before submitting them.SynonymsordertellinstructdirectcommandThese words all mean to use your position of authority to say to somebody that they must do something.order to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something:The company was ordered to pay compensation to its former employee.‘Come here at once!’ she ordered.tell to say to somebody that they must or should do something:He was told to sit down and wait.Don’t tell me what to do!instruct (rather formal) to tell somebody to do something, especially in a formal or official way:The letter instructed him to report to headquarters immediately.direct (formal) to give an official order:The judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.command to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something:He commanded his men to retreat.order or command?Order is a more general word than command and can be used about anyone in a position of authority, such as a parent, teacher or government telling somebody to do something. Command is slightly stronger than order and is the normal word to use about an army officer giving orders, or in any context where it is normal to give orders without any discussion about them. It is less likely to be used about a parent or teacher.Patterns to order/​tell/​instruct/​direct/​command somebody to do something to order/​instruct/​direct/​command that… to do something as ordered/​told/​instructed/​directed/​commandedWhich Word?say / tellSay never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words:‘Sit down’, she said.Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’Anne said (that) she was tired.What did he say to you? You cannot use ‘say about’, but say something about is correct:I want to say something/​a few words/​a little about my family.Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned:She didn’t say what she intended to do.Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects:Have you told him the news yet? It is often used with ‘that’ clauses:Anne told me (that) she was tired.Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what, where, etc:Can you tell me when the movie starts? (BUT:Can you give me some information about the school?) Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions:The doctor told me to stay in bed.The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed. ORThe doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed. NOTThe doctor said me to stay in bed.

know/judge

6 [intransitive,transitive](not used in the progressive tenses)to know, see or judge something correctlyI think he's happy. It's hard to tell.As far as I can tell, she's enjoying the course.tell (that)…I could tell (that) he was angry from his expression.tell how, if, etc…‘That's not an original.’ ‘How can you tell?’The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it.

distinguish

7 [transitive](not used in the progressive tenses or in the passive)to distinguish one thing or person from anothertell somethingIt was hard to tell the difference between the two versions.tell A from BCan you tell Tom from his twin brother?tell A and B apartIt's difficult to tell them apart.tell which, what, etc…The kittens look exactly alike—how can you tell which is which?

have effect

8[intransitive]tell (on somebody)to have an effect on somebody/something, especially a bad oneThe strain was beginning to tell on the rescue team.More Like ThisVerbs with two objectsbet,bring,build,buy,cost,get,give,leave,lend,make,offer,owe,pass,pay,play,post,promise,read,refuse,sell,send,show,sing,take,teach,tell,throw,wish,writeSee worksheet.

, also to tale.Extra examplesCan you tell this copy from the original?He told the story to all his friends.I could tell by his face that he was very angry.I couldn’t tell the two brothers apart.I couldn’t tell who was meant to be the chairman.I hate to tell you this but I’ve broken your phone.I hate to tell you, but the car’s a write-off.I never told him about the money.I tried to tell them but they wouldn’t let me.I was going to tell you—I just didn’t get around to it.No one had told her of the dangers.She told me bluntly it was my own fault.The strain of looking after two elderly relatives is beginning to tell on him.‘I’m ready to go now,’ he told her.‘Who are you going out with tonight?’ ‘That would be telling!’Are you telling the truth?Did anyone tell you what happened?Do as you’re told!Don’t tell me what to do!Don’t tell on me, will you?I can’t tell one twin from the other.I can’t tell you how happy I am.I specifically told you to be here on time.It’s difficult to tell them apart.Promise you won’t tell.She is always telling lies.The doctor told me (that) I should lose some weight.The kittens looked exactly alike—how could you tell which was which?They told stories and jokes while sitting around the camp fire.They’ve told us (that) they’re not coming.Why wasn’t I told about the accident?Idioms